STATESMEN, THE (2)

Lead Vocals: Peter Gamble (2)Graham Woodcock

Guitar: Peter Woodcock (2)Stuart Fuller

Guitar: Dennis Matthews > Bass

Bass: Barry Howes (2)Dennis Matthews

Drums: Graham McEwan (2)Russell Howlett

unplaced musicians:

Mick Holmes vocals, 1964

The Statesman first got together at the now demolished Sprowston Youth Club that stood on the corner of Canaby Lane. Earlier performances were billed as Peter & The Statesman, playing beat & pop music until Peter Gamble decided to abruptly quit one night just before a gig at the Black Horse in Tombland (Now the Black Horse bookshop). Enter Peter Woodcocks brother Graham, his ability to play Harmonica and having a voice that lent itself more to an R&B style the groups set soon became more Stones & Muddy Waters influenced with the group being labeled the wild R&B sound

Further changes in line-up persued Barry Howes left to join [band required] and Dennis Matthews moved over to bass. In July 1964 Peter Woodcock then left to be replaced by Stuart Fuller. The group at this point were on the up and managed many notable support slots. It was at this time that the group became linked with American pianist & guitarist Larry Meggs who was based at [details required] Stuart recalls "He had guested with the band a couple of times, and had a great voice, and we wanted him to join but becoming a permanent member brought gigging problems with getting time off the base."  There was no mistaking a Statesman gig in those days as the group would turn up in roadie Geoffrey Edwards, Maroon Bedford van with “The Statesman” written in large white letters across the front, Cool! The band finally called it a day when Dennis Matthews left to join local boys CBO Incorporated. Stuart joined up with old friends and Meteor [details required]

Supports: The Barron Knights / Freddie & The Dreamers / The Paramounts / The Yardbirds

(Howlett - The Kriptones)(Fuller -The Meteors) <> (Matthews - CBO Incorporated)(Fuller -The Four Dimensions)